Vision 2020 Australia’s new look Policy and Advocacy team

Vision 2020 Australia has completed the development of a multi-disciplinary Policy and Advocacy team following two recent appointments.

Silvia Theodoridis has been confirmed as Vision 2020 Australia’s new Policy and Advocacy Manager and joins Jess Cutter and Sarah Davies to form a formidable team.

Silvia Theodoridis

Silvia comes well-credentialed to ensure success in her new role. She possesses ten years’ work experience in global health, population and international development, with specific experience in advocacy, communications and fundraising. Silvia has an impressive work history in an international setting, having engaged with a range of stakeholders, including European government ministers and parliamentary staff, civil society organisations, health professionals and the general public.

Most recently Silvia spent six years at PATH in Geneva in the role of Advocacy Manager. She also spent four years as European Union Advocacy Officer with the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development in Brussels. Silvia’s academic qualifications include successful completion of a Master of Arts (Public Law) and Bachelor of Arts (International and European Law) at the University of Paris.

Jess Cutter

Jess Cutter joins Vision 2020 Australia in a Policy and Advocacy Officer role following over two years of experience in a similar capacity with The Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. Jess has proven knowledge of and experience in public policy development, particularly as it relates to the not-for-profit sector, the Australian Government and international institutions. Jess’ work experience has ensured that she is familiar with and competent in campaign design and implementation, related strategic communication and advocacy on issues as varied as end of life care, reducing the impact of alcohol harm on emergency department patients and staff, to tackling bullying, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Jess holds a Master of Public Policy and Management qualification from the University of Melbourne and undergraduate qualifications in international relations (BA (Global)) from Monash University.

Sarah Davies

Sarah Davies has been a valuable part of the Policy and Advocacy team since commencing with Vision 2020 Australia in May 2014. Before joining the team, Sarah worked in various finance and project management roles in the IT sector while completing her Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University. Sarah also spent the better part of 2011 living and working for an Indigenous-owned and run tour company in the APY lands, providing opportunities for high school students to better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Central Australia.

In her role as Policy and Advocacy Officer for Vision 2020 Australia, Sarah has worked enthusiastically with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Prevention and Early Intervention Committees to progress sector priorities in these areas. Key achievements in Sarah’s work over the last two and a half years have included the 2015 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health and vision care: Sector Funding Proposal, the finalisation of the 2016 National Eye Health Survey, and the identification of opportunities for the sector as part of the Implementation plan under the National framework for action to promote eye health and prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss, such as a Diabetes Blindness Prevention Initiative.

The complementary nature of Silvia, Jess and Sarah’s policy and advocacy skills and experience across domestic and international settings will ensure that their priorities and work output will continue to add value to the activities of members and other stakeholders in the eye health and vision care sector.